New teachers

With the start of school in the Columbia School District next week, six new teachers got an early start to their teaching careers.
The school district is holding its New Teacher Induction at the District Administrative Center this week. A seventh new teacher, who was hired to teach sixth grade at Park Elementary School, was hired last Monday morning and joined the program during the week and be approved by the school board at its upcoming meeting.
The new teachers attending the induction were:
• Kelly Howells, first grade, Taylor Elementary.
• Rachel Hill, fifth grade, Park Elementary.
• Bob Peterson, mark, Columbia High School.
• Michael Rohrback, seventh grade math, Columbia High School.
• Sue Kelley, alternative education teacher.
• Scott Muenz, high school band director.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Diane Frey in introducing the new teachers said participating in the induction program is a state requirement.
“It’s required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education,” Dr. Frey said.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barry Clippinger said there are still a couple of openings in the district.
“We just hired a sixth grade teacher because of a late resignation Monday morning,” he said.
While there aren’t a lot of new teachers in Columbia this year, Clippinger said that might not be the case next year.
“Next year, we may have a whole lot of new teachers,” Dr. Clippinger said.
The new teachers spent Monday meeting their mentor, experienced teachers, who will guide them through their first year at Columbia.
They also spent time meeting with the district’s administrative team to review expectations and other procedures. They were also given a tour of the district.
Tuesday, they participated in literacy and technology programs and Wednesday there were sessions on teaching the English language, classroom management and district intervention programs.
The week ends today with programs on parent involvement and learning focused schools. Tomorrow, the new teachers will meet with their mentor and hear presentations from the business office.